I have come across more and more adds for weight loss surgery centers and surgeons located outside the United States. The majority of these ads aimed at US citizens seem to originate from Mexico.

Now, before I go any further, I want to be clear that there are many excellent centers and surgeons located outside of the United States.

While the above statement is true there are also many surgical centers and surgeons that are not up to the standards of the bariatric surgeons and clinic located in the USA.

The most common reason people travel internationally for weight loss surgery is because they think they will be saving money by doing so.

If you or someone you know is considering traveling to Mexico or elsewhere for weight loss surgery please consider the following before making your decision:

• Will my insurance company cover me if you have complications with the procedure when you return home?
• Will you be able to find a qualified bariatric surgeon and/or doctor who will take care of you when home?
• Do you have any personal or professional references that recommended the surgeon you are considering seeing outside of the US medical system?
• How much money will you really save?

If you do make the decision to have your surgery preformed out side of the US. You should expect it to be difficult to find proper follow up care for the procedure. Unless you plan on traveling abroad again for follow up visits, you will have to try to find professional care closer to home. This can prove to be an exceedingly difficult task as many centers are extremely uncomfortable with taking on the long-term management of patient that has had a procedure done out of the USA. The chances of problems are too high and the liability for the surgical center is too great.

Weight loss surgery is a serious procedure that requires a real comitment on your part to make the life changes needed to improve your health. This is not a decision to made lightly. If you are willing to make this comitment to yourself then you owe it to yourself to seek out the best care possible.

The direct cost savings of having this surgery preformed outside of the USA are usually not very much when compared to the risk it can pose to your health. If the money is the only thing holding you back and you are ready to make this lifestyle change, then talk to your local bariatric center and see what financing options are available. Always remember you are worth it.